Category: News

This week, in a desperate attempt to disguise the fact that he doesn’t have any coherent way to tie the reviewed books together, Andrew Wheeler will adopt a “countdown” format to write about three brand-new Manga volumes.

Adding to the difficulty level: he will also write about himself in the third person, for no good reason.

Kaze no Hana, Vol. 3
By Ushio Mizta and Akiyoshi Ohta
Yen Press, December 2008, $10.99

This is the end of “Book One” of Kaze no Hana, in which not nearly enough is wrapped up and hardly any indication is given that the series will continue on to a “Book Two” sometime, somewhere. (For those who are lost: reviews of Volume One and Volume Two.)

To recap briefly: Momoka Futami is yet another typical cute Japanese teenage girl, who just wants to live a normal life. But she’s actually part of a family that has spent the past few hundred years defending the world against the minions of an evil god that was trapped under a mountain, using eight “spiritual swords.” There’s also an opposed group that wants to free the evil god – they don’t seem to consider him evil, actually – and they use “sacred swords,” which are totally different in a way that’s never been clear.

Kaze no Hana has a fairly large cast of people with vestigial (at best) noses, and it’s difficult to tell them apart much of the time. This book also has a lot of talking and emoting rather than fighting monsters, though one character does turn out, unexpectedly, to be a werewolf. There’s also a huge plot problem that gets resolved exceptionally quickly, leading this reader to wonder if perhaps the original serialization of this story was hurried to a conclusion quicker than the creators had planned. (more…)

Warner Bros. has announced that The Dark Knight will return to both regular theaters and IMAX screens on January 23 as it reminds Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences voters the movie is worthy of Oscar consideration. The studio is also hoping it will earn the $70 million it needs to break the $600 domestic mark, second only to Titanic’s $600,788,188. Adjusted for inflation, The Dark Knight would rank 26th in domestic revenues.

As of December 3, Box Office Mojo reports the film has earned $530,327,889 in America and an additional  $465,929,447 globally, totaling $996,257,336, just shy of the $1 billion mark. 

Warner has already begun its Oscar campaign, hoping to nab a Best Picture slot in addition to a posthumous supporting actor nomination for Heath Ledger’s memorable Joker.

Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. Pictures President of Domestic Distribution said in a release, “The Dark Knight is a crowning achievement in every sense of the word. We wanted to provide one more opportunity for moviegoers to experience it on the big screen as it was meant to be seen.” (more…)

Say “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and everyone immediately imagines robed Mickey Mouse accidentally unleashing magical powers he cannot control and chaos erupts.  It was a delightful segment from Fantasia, but was based on Goethe’s 1797 poem Der Zauberlehrling.  The basic story has been the inspiration for novels, a kids’ television series and even a BBC radio drama.

But, for the first time, it will be the basis for a live action film with Nicolas Cage portraying the sorcerer and Jay Baruchel (Tropic Thunder) to play the apprentice according to Variety.  The film will be directed by Jon Turtletaub and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal (Star Trek V) wrote the initial script which has been rewritten by Matt Lopez (Bedtime Stories).

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice brings the action to modern day New York and starts with Cage seeking an apprentice until he finds Baruchel.
 

Hammer Films has announced that Hilary Swank has been signed to star in The Resident, shooting next May. The film will mark Antti J. Jokinen’s directorial debut from a script he co-wrote with Robert Orr. Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary) recently turned in a rewrite according to Variety.

Swank will play “a doctor who moves into a Brooklyn loft. Becoming suspicious that she’s not alone in her new home, she discovers her landlord is a stalker.”

The Finnish director has previously directed videos for Will Smith, Beyonce, Eminem, Korn and Celine Dion.

The reconstituted Hammer previously announced three films and just wrapped production on The Wake Wood. The Quiet One is the other film and is “based on the supposedly true story of a group of Canadian hippie scientists in the 1970s who attempt to create a ghost.” No director has been announced for the film.

Vertigo Films has signed on to distribute the film in the United Kingdom in 2009 with a domestic release to likely follow.

With all eyes turning to Punisher: War Zone, opening tomorrow, Marvel has provided a free digital comic, Punisher Saga with background on the character.  It also promotes Punisher #1, a new title from Marvel debuting in January.
 

In our never ending quest to dig up cool and unusual gifts, we offer up the one thing that Buffy fan on your list probably doesn’t have – a CD full of original songs dedicated to Their Favorite Slayer,  plus:

• Free comics from Asylum?
• Marvel brings up Bad Guy Variants
• Grab Clive Barker on UClick

Get ready to hear Buffy tunes that will stick in your head until New Year’s – just Press the Button!
 

And remember, you can always subscribe to ComicMix Radio podcasts via or RSS!

Mongoose Publishing has outlined their 2009 releases with several new Judge Dredd games coming.

The new Dredd role playing game will use the rules from Mongoose’s Traveller game and will be accompanied by a hardcover Judge Dredd RPG Rulebook kicking off the new game in the summer.  Before the year is out, campaign and sourcebooks will also be release. Judge Dredd Miniatures Game will also be released and be based on the original Gangs of Mega City One.

The new deal resulted from Rebellion, the game company that currently owns 2000 AD and its characters, coming to Mongoose with a desirable offer.  The new deal allows the publishing outfit to expand their book offerings with increased color.

According to ICv2, these are the other releases coming from the company.

Traveller
In 2009 Mongoose is expanding its science fiction RPG with a number of new core books, some of which (Scoundrel, Agent) will cover characters, while others such as a Civilian and Military Vehicle Supplement and a Central Supply Catalogue.  But in 2009 Mongoose is also implementing its long term plan under which Traveller becomes not just a single setting, but a core system able to handle all science fiction gaming.  Typical of the latter is Hammer’s Slammers, a full color hardcover RPG adaptation (using the Traveller system) of David Drake’s classic science fiction series that will be available in April.

Runequest
Mongoose is planning major new initiatives for Runequest in 2010, but 2009 will see the release of some interesting volumes including a Pocket Deluxe Edition of the game as well as volume detailing the role of Guild, Factions & Cults.  Gloranthan players will get a steady stream of new releases including Mostali, Castle of Lead, Vithela and Lairs of Glorantha.  The release of the Corum and Multiverse volumes for Elric and Hawkmoon has be moved to 2010, but there will be Lankhmar volume in 2009 that will be a definitive guide to Fritz Leiber’s great creation.

Flaming Cobra

Flaming Cobra is Mongoose’s imprint for publishing and distributing third party games.  Flaming Cobra’s major initiative for the summer of 2009 is the release of Gary Gygax’s Lejendary Adventures.

Paranoia
Mongoose is planning to release a 25th Anniversary Paranoia Rulebook, which won’t replace previous editions, but will add some interesting dimensions as will two new rulebooks, one covering Int Sec Troopers and one on the High Programmers.

Conan

The major release for Mongoose’s Conan RPG in 2009 will be a Warriors Companion.  While the Conan game is compatible with D&D 3.5, Mongoose is planning to produce Wraith Recon, which places elite special forces in a fantasy setting for the new 4th Edition D&D.

Babylon 5
Mongoose has just released Lawrence Whitaker’s The Universe of Babylon 5 will allow players to play the game using Traveller rules.  A second book in this Traveller/Babylon 5 line will cover ships and vehicles.

Miniature Games
In addition to the aforementioned Judge Dredd miniatures game, Mongoose will release a new version of A Call to Arms its space combat game set in the world of Babylon 5, a V-Max Racing game and in February, the release of a new volume for Victory at Sea, Victory At Sea: Age of Dreadnoughts.